SIT probe petition

New Delhi, Feb. 13: A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court today seeking a probe by a special investigation team into the alleged kickbacks paid to secure the sale of 12 AgustaWestland choppers to India.

Advocate Manohar Lal Sharma in the petition also sought cancellation of the February 2010 deal and asked the apex court to monitor the probe to ensure transparency.

"In fact, the deal was pushed through after the special protection group insisted that the helicopters were urgently needed because of security implications. The deal was clicked with the help of politicians and others. Commission was distributed among the politicians, " the petition claimed.